Chapter Twelve #2
Ms. Winters ignored me completely, turning her attention back to Eliza. “Ms. Jans, given what has just transpired, I believe we need to discuss the next steps regarding Lily’s placement. Immediately.”
The blood drained from Eliza’s face as she realized what was coming next. I moved toward her instinctively, wanting to offer protection, comfort, anything to erase the devastation in her eyes. But I stopped short, suddenly unsure of my welcome after last night and the scene Ash had just caused.
Knuckles maintained his grip on Ash, who had stopped struggling but still vibrated with barely contained rage. Knuckles hissed something in his ear, obviously meaning business and Ash better shut the fuck up.
“If you’ll come with me, Ms. Jans,” she said, extending her hand toward the hallway leading to the residential area. “We need to collect Lily now.”
The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Eliza swayed slightly on her feet, and this time I didn’t hesitate, stepping to her side and placing my hand gently at the small of her back. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned into my touch, as if drawing whatever strength I could offer.
“Eliza’s lawyer will be here soon,” Hannah said, her voice fierce despite her calm exterior. “She’ll get here and you can talk to her.”
Ms. Winters smiled thinly. “I assure you, I have everything required by law. Now, shall we proceed, or do I need to request additional officers?”
Pippa positioned herself between Ms. Winters and the hallway, her stance casual but her intention clear. “Ms. Thompson is on her way,” she stated firmly. “You might want to wait for her arrival before doing anything hasty.”
“I’m afraid I can’t delay,” Ms. Winters replied. “Not when a child’s safety is at stake.”
The standoff stretched between them, tension crackling in the air as Eliza trembled beside me, facing her worst nightmare becoming reality for the second time.
Ms. Winters pulled a folder from her briefcase, her movements deliberately slow as she savored her moment of triumph.
“As I was saying before Mr. Hudson’s unfortunate display of temper,” she said, “I am filing for immediate removal of Lily from Ms. Jans’ custody.
” She extracted a document bearing an official seal and held it up for all to see.
“This emergency order has already been signed by Judge Harmon. I have the authority to remove Lily from these premises immediately.”
“Harmon?” Hannah stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. “Judge Whitmore has been handling this case from the beginning. She’s familiar with all the evidence and circumstances.”
“Judge Whitmore is unreachable on vacation,” Ms. Winters replied smoothly. “As is standard procedure, another judge reviewed the emergency petition in her absence.”
I watched Eliza’s face crumple at the words, her small remaining hope visibly extinguished. Ms. Winters hadn’t just planned this move, she had waited for the perfect moment when the judge who had previously ruled in Eliza’s favor wouldn’t be available to interfere.
“Convenient timing,” I growled, unable to keep silent.
Ms. Winters didn’t even acknowledge me. “Now, if you’ll step aside,” she said to Pippa, who remained planted firmly between her and the hallway leading to the residential area.
“No.” Pippa crossed her arms, her stance casual but her eyes hard. “We need to verify the order first. Our lawyer is on her way.”
“I’ll be happy to call in other officers. I’m sure they’d just love to have a reason to raid this place,” Ms. Winters countered, her voice taking on an edge of impatience. “Officer Martinez is here to ensure compliance.”
Martinez shifted uncomfortably, his hand instinctively touching his service weapon before dropping back to his side.
“Ma’am, if their lawyer is on the way, maybe we should wait.
Just to make sure everything’s in order.
Last thing I want to do is traumatize Miss Lily again.
” I liked the young officer addressed Lily with respect.
It was the one positive in this whole fucked up situation.
“Everything is in order, Officer,” Ms. Winters snapped. “I want this done as quickly as possible. And I will not delay a child’s safety for the convenience of your motorcycle club’s attorney.”
Hannah stepped closer to Eliza, placing a supportive arm around her shoulders. “Ms. Winters, consider how traumatic another removal will be for Lily. She’s already been through this once. At least let her mother explain what’s happening, to prepare her.”
For the first time, Officer Martinez spoke up without prompting. “She has a point. Last time was rough on her.” He turned his gaze forward. “Especially when she got hurt.”
Ms. Winters turned to him, her expression hardening.
“Your concern for the child’s comfort is noted, Officer.
However, my concern is for her safety in an environment where violence clearly erupts without warning.
” She gestured toward my now-bruising jaw and Ash, still restrained by Knuckles. “As we’ve just witnessed.”
Eliza found her voice at last, though it trembled with barely contained emotion. “Please, just wait for Lana.”
“Every moment we delay potentially exposes Lily to further harm.” The woman looked both smug and put out at the same time.
“Harm?” Pippa’s voice rose in disbelief. “The only person who has physically harmed Lily is you, when you dislocated her shoulder the last time.”
Ms. Winters flinched almost imperceptibly, the first crack in her facade. “I’m not even certain it happened in my care. Could have happened in the hospital. It’s one of many things we’re looking into.”
“What’s the real agenda here, Ms. Winters? Because this sure as hell isn’t about Lily’s welfare.” I kept my voice soft and made sure to not move. I had to keep my control as well as not make any moves the officer could interpenetrate as aggressive. I could really give a fuck about Ms. Winters.
Her gaze met mine with cold calculation.
“Mr. Kingston, your presence is exactly part of the problem. You have no business forming attachments to vulnerable children or their mothers. The court order specifically mentions your growing influence over Ms. Jans and her daughter as a cause for concern.”
The words hit like a physical blow. She had been watching us, documenting every interaction, turning my attempts to help into evidence against Eliza. Worse, my presence in their lives was now being used as a weapon to separate them.
Hannah must have seen the realization on my face. She squeezed my arm in warning before turning back to Ms. Winters. “This is absurd. Cash has been nothing but protective and supportive.”
“Is that what you call his relationship with Ms. Jans?” Ms. Winters countered, her implication hanging in the air between us. My skin burned with anger and shame. How much did she know about last night? Or was she simply fishing? Could go either way.
“Enough,” Eliza said suddenly, her voice stronger than I expected. “My personal life is not relevant to my ability to care for my daughter, and Cash served his sentence.”
“I won’t ask again. This is happening right now. Step aside.”
Pippa held her ground for another moment, then looked at Knuckles.
A silent communication passed between them before she reluctantly moved aside.
I understood their calculation immediately.
Physical resistance would only make things worse, provide more evidence of the “dangerous environment” Ms. Winters was so eager to document.
“I’m coming with you,” Eliza said firmly as Ms. Winters started down the hallway with Officer Martinez following. No one tried to stop her.
I moved to follow as well, but Hannah caught my arm. “Let her go alone first,” she whispered. “Don’t give Winters more ammunition about your influence.”
The wisdom of her advice didn’t make it any easier to stay behind. I watched Eliza walk down the corridor, her back straight despite the devastation I knew she felt. My chest ached with the need to protect her, to fix this somehow.
“Knuckles,” I said quietly, “can we do anything? We all made promises not to let this bitch take Lily.”
He released Ash, who slumped against the wall, the fight drained out of him. “Not right now,” Knuckles replied, his voice pitched low. “Not like this. We play by their rules for now, then we destroy them with their own system. We’re not letting them have Lily any longer than strictly necessary.”
“And if playing by the rules doesn’t work?” I asked.
His eyes met mine, cold and certain. “Then we try something not in their rule book.”
Several agonizing minutes passed before Eliza reappeared at the end of the hallway, her face ashen.
She nodded once, a small, broken movement telling us everything we needed to know.
Ms. Winters followed, her expression neutral despite the victory she had just secured.
Officer Martinez came last, leading Lily by the hand.
My heart clenched at the sight of her. She clutched Mr. Flopsy against her chest, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. She wore a pink shirt with butterflies making her look even smaller, more vulnerable. When she spotted me, her face crumpled.
“Cash!” she cried, trying to pull away from Officer Martinez. “I don’t want to go!”
The officer maintained his gentle hold on her hand but didn’t force her forward. Instead, he knelt down to her level, his face filled with genuine compassion.
“Hey kiddo,” he said softly, “remember me? We need to take another little trip.”
Lily’s lower lip trembled, tears filling her eyes as she looked between her mother and me. “But I want to stay with Mommy. And Cash. I don’t want to go in the police car again.”
Officer Martinez glanced up at me, something like an apology in his expression. “Your buddy Cash will get everything worked out,” he told Lily quietly. “You’ll see.”